Notices
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

Overdrive Toploaders

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2001 | 08:51 AM
  #1  
pntrbil's Avatar
pntrbil
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Overdrive Toploaders

I've noticed 4 speed toploaders on E-Bay that are listed as being overdrive units. Every 4 speed manual trans I've ever been in is a direct 1 to 1 connection in the top gear so I don't see how this is possible, but what do I know?

I also saw references to big input and output shafts, 2 types of gear ratios, close and wide ratio, different tail shaft lengths etc. Other than they all start with RUG I can't tell 'em apart.

Can anybody fill me in on what might be useful in a 65 F250? I was mainly interested in the overdrive for better freeway use.

Bill
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2001 | 05:13 PM
  #2  
driven66's Avatar
driven66
New User
25 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Long Prairie
Overdrive Toploaders

Bill,

I found that on my 66 it was easier to put in a set of 3:00 gears in the rear end for highway use. I'm running about 2200 RPM at 65 MPH. So far so good!

Jerry D.
Slick 60's Member
Midwest Chapter
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2001 | 06:05 PM
  #3  
pntrbil's Avatar
pntrbil
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Overdrive Toploaders

I did some further internet digging and found out there were toploaders with an OD set up. What they do is reverse the 3rd and 4th shift fork and make 3rd the 1 to 1 direct. 4th gear is .84.

With the 3.54's in my Dana 60 times .84, I get 2.97 and I'll still have the 1 to 1 I like around town. All I'll lose is the granny low. Who cares?

So has anyone put a toploader in a 65 F250? What about the shifter for instance?
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2001 | 11:48 AM
  #4  
skip4274's Avatar
skip4274
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
Overdrive Toploaders

I built a special 4-speed top loader for a 65-66 from an old article in Classic Trucks magazine. It required removing the shift forks and rails and using a Jeep T-176 transmission shift plate that bolts to the Ford inspection plate area. Michael Danapas bought it for his '65. If you want to know how it works drop him a line at mike-karin@worldnet.alt.net and ask him. If you need any more information, my e-mail is skip4274@flash.net

Sorry guys, it doesn't work on the 61-64 trucks. Thats why I sold the transmission. I have a '63 and could never get the clutch hookup to work correctly.
Skip4274
4everFord
 
Reply
Old May 29, 2001 | 12:21 PM
  #5  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

Overdrive Toploaders

Skip, that's why I like the C6, it will do it's own clutching. :-)

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 
Reply
Old May 31, 2001 | 07:37 PM
  #6  
pntrbil's Avatar
pntrbil
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Overdrive Toploaders

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 31-May-01 AT 08:39 PM (EST)[/font][p]Thanks for the info Skip. At this point in time I still haven't got all my stuff together to finish the front discs conversion, but I will be wanting to put an overdrive toploader in that 65 F250 someday.

Just knowing it can be done is a good thing.

Bill
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2001 | 10:43 PM
  #7  
dinosaurfan's Avatar
dinosaurfan
Cargo Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 12
From: SW Michigan
Overdrive Toploaders

 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
omgitsangers
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
15
Apr 28, 2011 03:33 AM
82f-100
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Aug 2, 2010 07:51 AM
branpollard
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 24, 2005 10:23 PM
jwrboss302
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 31, 2003 01:19 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE